Undergraduate Study Options in Horticulture

Students pursuing the baccalaureate degree in Horticulture at Purdue choose from among five curricular options:

• Horticultural Science
• Horticultural Production & Marketing
• Landscape Horticulture & Design
• Public Horticulture
• Associate Degree

Each option includes the School of Agriculture Core Curriculum, the Horticulture Core Curriculum, and a group of specialized courses focused on the option area. A total of 130 academic credits, and 320 hours of horticultural work experience (six-month internship for Public Horticulture), is required for graduation. During the first two years, the coursework emphasis is on basic studies such as communications, biology, chemistry, soils, etc. in preparation for more advanced work. In addition, there are introductory level horticulture courses such as Fundamentals of Horticulture, HORT 101. During your junior and senior years, you will study more advanced material in horticulture and plant physiology, and in the liberal arts, international and broadening subjects. In addition, depending on your specific interests (such as graduate studies, business, etc.) and declared option, courses will be taken in areas such as business management, landscape horticulture and design, advanced plant science and biotechnology, or public horticulture. Most classes must be taken for a letter grade, but a portion of a student's elective coursework may be taken pass-no pass. The equivalent of a "C" grade is required for "pass." See the School of Agriculture catalog for more details about the pass-no pass option. A passing grade in all courses is a "D", but you need a 2.00 grade point average for graduation. Practical experience is a very important part of career preparation for students of horticulture. It can help the student decide precisely what aspect of horticulture is right for them. It also makes graduates more attractive to employers as they complete their degree and seek first-time positions. Work experience is required of all horticulture students. For most, 320 hours of work experience is needed. Summer work between regular semesters is the most common way in which this requirement is satisfied. A letter from the employer to the Student Services Coordinator must document it. The letter becomes a part of your permanent record. No student will be certified for graduation until the work experience letter is on file. Public Horticulture option students are required to complete a six-month internship in place of the 320 hours of work experience described above. See the Internship Programs section for more information about completing a Public Horticulture internship.

Horticultural Science

Horticultural science is an option which includes training to improve plants through genetic manipulation and to investigate new methods of propagation, growth, handling, and marketing of horticultural crops. Horticultural scientists work at colleges and universities, state and federal experiment stations, and public or private laboratories and foundations. This curriculum prepares students for scientifically oriented careers such as technicians in plant breeding, propagation, and research industries, and is a preparatory program for students interested in graduate school.

Plan of Study
For additional information contact Dr. K.G. Raghothama. lhd

Landscape Horticulture and Design

Students selecting landscape horticulture and design, are trained for careers in design, construction, plant installation, and maintenance of designed landscapes. Graduates of this program may operate a landscape design/build, construction or maintenance firm, work as grounds manager, do small-scale landscape design, or be involved in the development, distribution, or sales of equipment, supplies, or plant materials in the landscape industry.

Plan of Study
For additional information contact Dr. Michael N. Dana.

Horticultural Production and Marketing

Horticultural production and marketing prepares students in the production of horticultural crops or management of horticultural enterprises. Graduates may manage greenhouses or nurseries, floral or plant shops, garden centers, orchards, vegetable farms, and farm markets. They may be involved with development, distribution, or sales of equipment, chemicals, or plant materials.

Plan of Study
For additional information contact Dr. Robert J. Joly.

Public Horticulture

Public horticulture is a professional program leading to employment in botanical gardens, arboretums and other horticultural establishments in the public sector, as curators of plant collections, educators, plant propagators, illustrators, and writers. Practical training through internships in public gardens is stressed.

Plan of Study
For additional information contact Dr. Matthew Jenks.

Associate Degree in Horticulture

Purdue horticulture offers a two-year associate degree requiring the completion of 65 credits. It is a flexible program allowing the student to select coursework in the areas best suited to their career interests. The coursework included in the associate program is generally applicable to the four-year baccalaureate program, should the student decide to continue their studies beyond two years.

Plan of Study
For additional information contact Robin Tribbett.